Useful Tips And Advice For Antique Moving
Whether you own a good collection of antique pieces in your home, or own a single piece that has been passed down to you through generations, it will require extra care when moving to ensure that it arrives at your specific destination in the same shape and condition.
Appraisal
Before even comparing movers, you should do an appraisal on all your antiques. It’s pointless to purchase the right level insurance if you actually don’t know the amount of coverage you need. There are useful sources on the web to help you do this. These will help you find the proper appraisal in your area.
Choosing the Right Movers
This most important thing to pay attention to before moving your priceless pieces is to choose a reputable mover with a proven track record and experience in handling and moving such sensitive pieces. Antiques are normally very fragile and expensive, for this you will need a professional mover who is well aware how easy it is to damage, and you will need a company that has the ability to offer some level of insurance coverage needed.
Bear in mind that you should get a price quote not an estimate. Your mover should not be in a position to give you the price without personally seeing your items. A reputable and established mover who takes antiques seriously will want to see your items first hand, and he or she may also want to see your appraisal information. Read reviews and seek references. Such a company will be handling and moving timeless pieces of treasure, and therefore you just can’t afford not be thorough.
Preparing your Antiques
If you will be paying a moving company to handle and move your antiques, you may as well request that they do the packing. A professional mover will be able to provide crates, boxes and supplies to provide the highest level of protection.
You will however want to clean your items prior to having them packed. In most cases, good dusting will be all you need. Make sure not to use wax or polish on your items as it can leave them slippery, making them more prone to becoming marked by packaging materials. Do your polishing and waxing after you reach your destination.
Packing and Cleaning Antiques
If you are going to pack your items yourself, pack smaller antiques such as china or collectibles in separate boxes, preferably the same boxes they came packed in. If you don’t access to original boxes, make sure to use industry grade materials such as double and triple-walled crates and cartons as well as a lot of bubble wrap.
- Wrap crystal and china separately in tissue paper. Place plates on the edges and place stemware in separate corrugated containers.
- Remove drawers from dressers and pack them individually.
- Take out doorknobs as well as fragile handles from every cabinet.
- Remove legs from ottomans and cushions from couches.
- Make sure doors are secured with rubber strings, bungee cords or straps.
- Use cushioning wrap and rubber wrap when packing larger items.
- Use packaging tape to secure cartons and boxes.
- Clearly and boldly label each box that contains fragile items so your movers know which items require most care and caution.
- Although it’s not advisable to polish or wax your antiques before moving, dusting and wiping them won’t do any harm.
Insurance Options
– Get appraisals for all your antiques. It is very important to know the exact value of your items in order to ensure that they get comprehensive coverage in the event that they get damaged. When moving, you will most likely transfer your homeowners insurance policy to your items, so you’ll need to know the value of your priceless items.
– Ask your insurance agent for recommendations to find the right appraiser, or better yet discuss the matter with a bank representative or attorney.
– Meet up with representatives from your mover to get an estimate of the cover you’ll need to cover your items.
Self Moving Tips for Antiques
It goes without say that you need a professional moving company to handle your antiques, but if you are a DIY person, the following tips are worth keeping in mind:
- Offer equal support on every side when carrying heavy items.
- Make sure the tape never touches the surface of your antiques.
- Dismantle glass doors, cabinet drawers and anything that can be detached.
- Avoid stacking boxes and other items right on top of antique chests, tables, benches, desks, etc.
- Bubble wrap your items.
- Use dollies when possible.
- Provide some protection from moisture.
- Avoid pushing or pulling heavy items; always lift them carefully, especially tables and desks with fragile legs.
When seeking advice to move your precious antiques, always keep in mind that smaller items should be kept with you instead of being packed in the moving truck. Items like jewelry, statuettes and other smaller items can be packed and moved in your car.
Helpful Tips
Another thing to bear in mind when moving antiques, furniture or anything for that matter is make sure that they will fit through the door of your new place. Fitting in your old place doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll perfectly fit into the new one.
Count everything before moving and upon arrival consult your inventory list to ensure that everything is there.
